Sleep Apnea Therapy – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Breathe Better, Sleep Better, Feel Better

Do you have problems sleeping at night? Do you wake up tired?  Do you snore? You may have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that afflicts millions of people. Unfortunately, it often remains undiagnosed for years. If you suspect that you have it, we urge you to seek diagnosis and sleep apnea treatment in Ponte Vedra Beach as soon as possible. With the right therapy, you could improve your daily quality of life and your overall health!

---

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea presents itself when someone's breathing is interrupted during sleep. People who have untreated sleep apnea will stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes dozens or even hundreds of times each night. This means the brain — and the rest of the body — may not get enough oxygen.

There are a few different types of sleep apnea, but the most common is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It occurs when tissues in the throat block the free flow of air. Its symptoms include:

• Loud, frequent snoring
• Morning headaches and sore throats
• Observed pauses in breathing
• Mood swings and irritability
• Slowed reaction times
• Daytime exhaustion

---

The Dangers of Sleep Apnea

On the surface, sleep apnea may seem like nothing more than a nuisance. However, it poses a threat to your overall health. Research has found that individuals with OSA are more likely to suffer from heart attack, stroke, depression, anxiety, obesity, dementia, and a range of other conditions. Many researchers believe that such correlations are due to how oxygen deprivation and poor-quality sleep affect the brain and hormones.

Another danger of sleep apnea is the fact that it can hinder your ability to drive well. People with OSA are more likely to be involved in motor vehicle accidents than individuals who are free of sleep disorders.

---

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

The standard of care for years has been the CPAP. The CPAP is a machine that forces air into the airway to maintain proper oxygen flow. However, many patients who have used a CPAP claim that it is so uncomfortable that they often choose not to wear it. This is why oral appliance therapy from a dentist in Ponte Vedra Beach has become a favorite of many patients. An oral appliance is a small, mouthguard-like device that repositions the jaw in order to keep the airway open during sleep. It is convenient, portable, silent, and easy to use. Here at Ponte Vedra Complete Dentistry, we offer oral appliances from two popular companies: SomnoMed and Embla.

If you are interested in learning more about sleep apnea treatment options, get in touch with us. We can help you arrange for appropriate testing, after which we may be able to recommend the type of oral appliance that we believe is right for you.